There aren’t a whole lot of products to choose from when it comes to false eyelash glue. In fact just two products are the most frequently used by the general public – consumers who do their beauty regimens at home on their own as opposed to going to a salon for their new looks.Ardell is one such popular brand, and loyal fans have been using Ardell false eyelashes (human hair and synthetic blend), the adhesive and even the remover, for many years. At the same time however, another popular product, Duo Eyelash Adhesive, is probably even a bit better known than Ardell and is much easier to find at your local retailers. However, many people do not realize just how different the composition of these two products truly is, and for those of you who worry about ingredients in makeup and other cosmetic products, the comparison in components between these two products might just shock you!

Starting with the new Ardell product, namely Ardell Brush-On Lash Adhesive in a clear tube with a convenient brush that could be used on both strip and individual lashes (although most real users recommend using it either on individual lashes or for strip lash touch ups as the hold time is shorter than the waterproof Duo Eyelash Adhesiveand some other glues), our review of ingredients might surprise you:

Water, Acrylates Copolymer, Alcohol Denat, Dextrin and Tocopherol.

While water, dextrin (binding agent/gum), and tocopherol (i.e. Vitamin E) are considered to be pretty safe by Skin Deep Cosmetic Databse (rated very low risk of 0 or 1 out of 10), acrylates copolymer and alcohol denat deserve more attention. You might find it less than glamorous to know that acrylates copolymer is simply related to super glue (which might make you nervous if you’re trying to figure out how to remove individual false eyelashes, but doesn’t mean that it’s unsafe as Skin Deep gives it a low health hazard rating of 2 out of 10). Alcohol denat is a solvent (explains the relatively thin consistency of this eyelash glue) with a medium health hazard rating of 4 out of 10 due to its potentially toxic effects. ***We give Ardell Brush-On Lash Adhesive an overall score of 3 out of 5 for its lack of added formaldehyde and below 4 out 10 allergy/toxicity/cancer risk.

The ingredients list of the other comparably performing product, Duo Eyelash Adhesive (waterproof clear white formulation in packaging with blue writing), is far more troubling:

For starters, its use of rubber latex can cause allergies in people who are sensitive to that component. Because these products are used by the eye, they effects can be even more uncomfortable. Fragrance is another one of allergenic ingredients in makeup that should be avoided near your eyes at all costs yet Duo added it in. Because FDA does not require cosmetic companies to list the secret components (often nearly 100!) that make up fragrances, there is often a risk of allergic reactions due to unknown and often low quality substances. The real problem with this Duo lash glue, however, is its use of formalin. Formalin is another word for ‘formaldehyde’, which is a chemical reaction that occurs during the compounding process of glues so technically it’s difficult to avoid it. That’s right – the known carcinogen formaldehyde is in Duo Eyelash Adhesive. That means that it isn’t thought to be a cancer causing agent, it’s simply known to be one. Additionally, there is indication that allergies and toxicity may exist in some people after exposure. Lastly, some data exists to show that eye, lung or skin irritation are possible with this common industrial compound, according to Skin Deep who gives Formaldehyde it’s most ominous health rating – a big red “10” for high hazard. Ammonium hydroxyde is a pH controlled antimicrobial agent that is rated as medium health risk (3 out of 10) by Skin Deep but is considered as generally safe in small amounts by the FDA. See Duo Eyelash Adhesive review of ingredients safety by Skin Deep here. ***We give this best-selling yet one of the most toxic eyelash glues on the market a rating of 1 out 5 for safety.

Most people never both to check the ingredients in mascara that they just purchased, or think to read the back of a bottle of foundation, however there are chemicals used in the cosmetics industry that have been shown to be hazardous to humans and potential causes of illness and sickness. Duo Eyelash Adhesive contains some that have been shown to be dangerous to people who use them, although some of the ingredients are of course used in items we use every single day. Duo Eyelash Adhesiveis a clear loser in our review of ingredients and should be avoided!

If you are highly concerned about the use of chemicals in your chosen brand of eyelash adhesive, consider opting instead for a natural look and eye make up ideas that use organic mascara instead of faux lashes, or opt for mink eyelash extensions that would last for up to 2 months so you would not need to apply potentially harmful false eyelash glue or irritating mascara. But, if you do decide that false lashes are for you (how can you say “no” to luxurious Siberian mink lashes by Minki Lashes, right?) – read the label FIRST and use Skin Deep’s database to help you complete your review of ingredients to find the safest ones for you.

As a safer alternative to Duo Eyelash Adhesive (blue packaging), Duo has recently introduced a safer glue in white packaging with green writing – Brush On Striplash Adhesive without added formalin. You can find it at Madame Madeline’s online store here.